I hope Robert isn't really done for good.

[J]

Robert Hight Retires From John Force Racing | Drag Illustrated

Robert Hight confirmed Thursday that he is stepping down as President of John Force Racing, confident that the company is in capable hands moving forward. “I had 30 great years at JFR,” Hight said. “But being out of the car last year made me realize there are other things I want to do...

dragillustrated.com

Sounds like he lost his ride and moved on

 

[J. S.]

Robert Hight Retires From John Force Racing | Drag Illustrated

Robert Hight confirmed Thursday that he is stepping down as President of John Force Racing, confident that the company is in capable hands moving forward. “I had 30 great years at JFR,” Hight said. “But being out of the car last year made me realize there are other things I want to do...

dragillustrated.com

Well, at least that makes it official, with statements from both Hight and J. Force. Still seems very odd the way the whole thing went down for a 3-time F/C champ to just walk away without any updates or statements to his fans all this time (until today).

 

[Paul]

Good for Robert, he had a good run and decided it was time to go do other things.

 

[you]

The only constant is change.
- Confucious

 

[mick]

2024 was a big year of changes for JFR. it is good they finally put out a statement about robert and the team.
the last time the public saw robert was 2023 E2 pomona2 when he lost to chad green, who was on his way to win #1.

 

[J. S.]

I wonder where this leaves his daughter Autumn from his marriage with Adria Force, John's first daughter? I mean, as far as drag racing is concerned. As I recall she was in Jr. Dragsters, but don't recall if she went beyond that into Super Comp, etc. Will she want to continue in drag racing as a driver?

 

[Sherman, Sherm, & Sherm Gun]

ROBERT HIGHT RESIGNS AS JOHN FORCE RACING PRESIDENT | Competition Plus

Robert Hight announced Thursday that he is stepping down as President of John Force Racing, expressing confidence in the team's future leadership.

competitionplus.com

 

[vern]

It's just my opinion but it seemed like Robert was slowly being phased out of JFR. Nothing lasts forever so hopefully Robert is happy and healthy.

 

[ironpony]

Tough spot he was in, possibly make a come back and bench a champion..............I am sure Jimmy had a lot to say about that. Replace John who I am guessing still wants to drive but shouldn't IMO.
Step down and ride of into the sunset a winner.

 

[65 Goatboy]

It's just my opinion but it seemed like Robert was slowly being phased out of JFR. Nothing lasts forever so hopefully Robert is happy and healthy.

I don't think he was being "phased out". Would JFR make up a story about a medical issue? I doubt we will ever know and we shouldn't because possibly it was embarrasing to him. He clearly stated his reasons for retirement and Austin is the future of JFR. Good for Robert.

 

[aakar]

Lots of great JFR stories we know nothing about!
Maybe one day Walker Force's book will finally come out, been writing it for 40 yrs or so

 

[J]

It's just my opinion but it seemed like Robert was slowly being phased out of JFR. Nothing lasts forever so hopefully Robert is happy and healthy.

Same here,something happened at jfr im willimg to bet and was prob not even sick?

 

[twostep]

Well, enough of that. Sounds like it's the Beckman/Prock/Brittany show for at least the 2025 season and possibly beyond. It appears John has a handle on the business end of things and won't have a problem at all settling into team owner mode. I recall his emotional track-end statement back before his accident when he made it clear Austin was going to be his replacement, sooner than later. I hate that a serious injury wound up being a factor but regardless, I believe JFR is going to be just fine.

 

[Billy]

Well, enough of that. Sounds like it's the Beckman/Prock/Brittany show for at least the 2025 season and possibly beyond. It appears John has a handle on the business end of things and won't have a problem at all settling into team owner mode. I recall his emotional track-end statement back before his accident when he made it clear Austin was going to be his replacement, sooner than later. I hate that a serious injury wound up being a factor but regardless, I believe JFR is going to be just fine.

I was there! At New England Dragway at his final event win as a driver!

 

[stitcherbob]

Just spitballing here again.....
How would it have looked if Robert left JFR when John got hurt?

These things are rarely spur of the moment when the driver is also your company president.

I believe Robert when he said it was a medical thing. I also believe Force when he says Robert was family. It has to be a little awkward when there's a divorce and the son in law gets remarried, and the new wife wants to do things that might not align with drag racing.

My friend's brother in law changed completely after the death of his wife. New girlfriend took over his life plans. Alienated himself from even his own grown kids. That's the unhappy ending. I'm hoping Robert and Adria's ending is better than that.

from google:
Hight is an avid Los Angeles Dodgers fan. He was a star in trap shooting, and was close to pursuing the chance to compete on the U.S. Olympic team in that sport. Robert was previously married to Adria Hight (Force), the oldest daughter of John Force. He later married Leslie Hight.

 

[Jack]

Robert had a long and very successful career at JFR. He most likely would not be climbing back into his old ride after the year Austin had From the other post on his new position of company owner in a business he's very familiar with and enjoys it sounds like a great decision to make at 55 years of age. He was always cordial at the track over the years that I got to chat at the ropes with him and wish him nothing but the best in the future and say thanks for the memories over his long and very successful career.. What is life if not change !

 

[Randy]

I wish Robert and his family the best wherever his decisions take him. He's a good guy.

 

[ironpony]

from google:
Hight is an avid Los Angeles Dodgers fan. He was a star in trap shooting, and was close to pursuing the chance to compete on the U.S. Olympic team in that sport. Robert was previously married to Adria Hight (Force), the oldest daughter of John Force. He later married Leslie Hight.

I would doubt that was her name before they were married.......................
IMO he was out of daily operations for a while and stepped up and back in when John got hurt to do the right thing.

 

[stitcherbob]

I would doubt that was her name before they were married.......................

Ya never know… my mom only had to change one letter of her last name to two from my dad… hers was Reed

 

[Butch]

Maybe just maybe Robert did have a medical issue, and having to sit out for a time he realized what life away from the track was like and he enjoyed it. making his decision much easier.
On the other side of the coin, Could the medical issue been his wife's and that's why he decided to spend time with her.